at the head of Loch Arkaig; but they had no money to send to their Prince, and after an absence of eighteen days, Donald returned with some brandy only, which perhaps was sufficiently acceptable, and with two letters from Lochiel and the Secretary, acquainting him with the complete ruin of his affairs. During the absence of Macleod, Charles was cheered by a visit from Clanranald, to whom he had sent a message acquainting him with his hiding-place and his wants. Clanranald, accompanied by his lady, immediately repaired to him in his wretched retreat. "He found the youth," says Chambers, "who had recently agitated Britain in so extraordinary a manner, and whose pretensions to a throne he considered indubitable, reclining in a hovel little larger than an English hog-stye, and perhaps more filthy; his face haggard with disease, hunger, and exposure to the weather; and his shirt to use the expressive language of Dougal Graham, as dingy as a dish-clout."* To the great satisfaction of Charles, Clanranald brought with him some Spanish wines and other provisions, as well as some shoes and stockings, and the acceptable present of half a dozen shirts. * History of the Rebellion of 1745–6, p. 96. CHAPTER IV. Charles removes to the Island of South Uist-His various narrow escapes while resident there-Accepts the proffered services of Flora Macdonald-Plan for his escape in disguise to the Isle of Skye. AFTER a residence of two or three days in Benbecula, Charles, by the advice of Clanranald, removed to a secluded spot in the centre of the neighbouring island of South Uist, where he was less likely to be hunted out by his pursuers, and which, moreover, from its vicinity both to the mountains and the sea, offered a double chance of escape in the event of his retreat being discovered. Scouts were stationed in all directions to give the earliest notice of the approach of an enemy; a boat was always in readiness for him to put to sea, and guides in the event of his being compelled to fly to the mountains.* The month which was passed by Charles in South Uist, was perhaps the least painful or wearisome of any period of his wanderings. Though his present habitation was only a better kind of hut, and though his bed consisted only of two cow-hides stretched upon four sticks, he was nevertheless well supplied with comforts and even luxuries: Clanranald, and his brother Boisdale, paid him frequent visits; and from Lady Margaret Macdonald, the wife of his former adherent and present persecutor, Sir Alexander Macdonald of Sleat, he received constant supplies of the newspapers of the day. South Uist was formerly cele * Lockhart Papers, p. 542. brated for its abundance of game, and Charles frequently amused himself with shooting: we are assured, indeed, that he was very dexterous at shooting fowl on the wing."* Sometimes he would vary his amusements by entering a small boat, and fishing with hand-lines along the coast. During his stay in South Uist, an incident occurred, which, though trifling in itself, very nearly led to serious results; and, moreover, as the circumstances connected with it display Charles's character for humanity and good-nature in a very pleasing light, it may perhaps be as well to record it. He had one day shot a deer, and in the evening was assisting his chef de cuisine, Edward Burke, in preparing some collops from it, when a halfstarved boy suddenly pushed in between them, and made an attempt to snatch some of the meat out of the dish. Edward Burke immediately struck him with the back of his hand, and probably would have repeated the blow, had he not been stopped by the Prince. "Why, man," he said, "do not you remember the Scripture, which commands us to feed the hungry and clothe the naked? you ought rather to give him meat than a stripe." He then ordered some food and some old clothes to be given to the boy, remarking," I cannot see a Christian perishing for want of food and raiment, if I have the power to support him." His humanity met with a very indifferent return. Having discovered the rank of his benefactor, the boy sought out a large body of the Campbells, Macleods, and Macdonalds, who were in search of the Prince, and acquainted them with his hiding-place. Fortunately, how VOL. 11. *Lockhart Papers, p. 543. ever, they only ridiculed his story, which they regarded as an impudent falsehood. At length the period arrived when Charles was again compelled to change the scene of his wanderings,—a step which was rendered absolutely necessary in consequence of a large body of militia having landed in search of him on the neighbouring island of Eriska. This important information was communicated to the Prince by his kind friend, Lady Margaret Macdonald, who employed a gallant Highland gentleman, Hugh Macdonald, of Balshair in North Uist, to convey to him the tidings. Balshair has himself left us a very interesting account of his mission to Charles and his small court of Glencoradale: 66 Being a misty day," he says, "I came near them before they discovered me, which surprised them. O'Sullivan introduced me to the hut. The Prince saluted me very kindly, and told me he was heartily glad to see the face of an honest man in such a remote corner. His dress was then a tartan short coat, and vest of the same, got from Lady Clanranald; his night-cap all patched with soot-drops, his shirt, hands, and face, patched with the same; a short kilt, tartan hose, and Highland brogs; his upper coat being English cloth. He called for a dram, being the first article of a Highland entertainment; which being over, he called for meat. There was about a halfstone of butter laid on a timber plate, and near a leg of beef laid on a chest before us, all patched with soot-drops, nothwithstanding its being washed toties quoties. As soon as we had done, who should enter the hut but Boisdale, who seemed to be a very welcome guest to the Prince, as they had been together above once before. "Boisdale then told him there was a party come to Barra in pursuit of him. He asked what they were? Boisdale said they were Macdonalds and Macleods. He then said that he was not the least concerned, as they were Highlanders, and more especially such. I spoke to Boisdale about leaving Glencoradale, as our stay there would be of dangerous consequence, and of no advantage to him. The Prince told us, as it was but seldom he met with friends he could enjoy himself with, he would not on any account part with us that night. Boisdale says to me, we could not, in good manners, part with him that night. I replied, if he would risk staying himself, that I would for my part. The prince advised Edward Burke to fill the bowl; but before we would begin with our bowl, Boisdale insisted on his being shaved first, and then putting on a clean shirt, which he was importuned to do; and Burke shaved him. Then we began with our bowl, frank and free. As we were turning merry, we were turning more free. At last I started the question if his Highness would take it amiss if I should tell him the greatest objections against him in Great Britain. He said not. I told him that popery and arbitrary government were the two chiefest. He said it was only bad constructions his enemies put on it. Do you know, Mr. Macdonald,' he says, 'what religion are all the princes of Europe of?' I told him I imagined they were of the same established religion of the nation they lived in. He told me they had little or no religion at all. Boisdale then told him that his predecessor, Clanranald, had fought seven set battles for his; yet, after the Restoration, he was not owned by King Charles at court. The Prince said, 'Boisdale, don't be rubbing up old sores, for if I came home, the case would be otherwise with me.' I then said to him, that notwithstanding the freedom we enjoyed there . |
